BORELLI CONSULTING: Tactical Equipment Reviews

BlackHawk HydraStorm: MOLLE / STRIKE Compatible
By: Frank Borelli, 28 March 2005

Every soldier knows that dehydration means not only a lack of performance, but potential disability or death. Carrying fluids is a mandatory performance and planning factor in all missions. Not to date myself, but when I enlisted in the Army I was issued two one-quart plastic canteens. One of them actually had an adaptor tube in the top for use with my protective mask. They were bulky and sloshed whether they were full or not. Getting a drink meant reaching back to either hip to unsnap the pouch, extract the canteen, unscrew the cap, get your drink, put the cap back on tight, replace the canteen, resnap the pouch and continue on. Thank goodness for evolution. Now we simply stick a bite valve in our mouth, suck, and spit the bite valve back out. We've come a long way.

When hydration pouches first started coming out, they were simple: nylon pouch with straps to carry plastic bag to carry water, drinking tube, bite valve of some kind. Then they evolved and became packs with storage pockets in addition to the fluid reservoir. Next evolution was packs that were ALICE clip compatible so you could mount other gear on your pack if you needed to. And then the next evolution came along... MOLLE compatible systems. In this week's review, I'm going to look at three hydration systems from BlackHawk / HydraStorm, all of which are available (or soon to be) in a MOLLE / STRIKE compatible design.

The first pack we're going to look at is the Cyclone, shown here in Desert Camo. Since each of these is a hydration system as well (or at least hydration compatible), let's get the capacities out of the way first. The Cyclone holds 100 ounces, or 3 liters of water. A gallon of water is 124 ounces, so we're looking at about 4/5 or 80% of a gallon. A gallon of fresh water weighs about 7.5 pounds, so just the water alone - assuming a full hydration bladder - weighs 6 pounds. The Cyclone empty has a published weight of 3 pounds. That's nine pounds before you even fill a cargo space, so it had better be comfortable, right? It is.

Like most of the packs and pouches from BlackHawk, in all of the family of products, the pack has their IVS (Intercooler Venting System) incorporated. The IVS does two things that I really appreciate: 1) it allows for air flow between my back and pack. That helps cut down on how much I sweat there and it allows for better evaporation of the sweat I do release. 2) it provides padding between me and the pack. That matters when the going is rough and the bag is moving around, or if I don't have any water and the contents of the pack are essentially rubbing against my back. Oh, yeah... if you fill the hydration bladder the water does provide additional insulation between you and whatever your humping. On top of the IVS, there are comfortably padded and contoured shoulder straps that are fully adjustable as well as a sternum strap to help keep those shoulder straps situated properly. If you're carrying the pack, for wahtever reason, the handle is securely stitched and has a rubber grab built around it. I wouldn't want to carry any pack by the handle for miles and miles, but around the airport? It's comfortable enough.

The hydration system itself incorporates HydraStorm's Microban antimicrobial protection, so the bladder isn't prone to growing science projects in between uses, or while in use (really bad). The bite valve is the new 360 degree with a center post so you can't bite it shut. The strength of this bite valve is that you can stick in your mouth at any angle and it's good to go. Like all other HydraStorm systems, there is a shut off switch that is easy to use one-handed: on and off are quick.

The cargo space works out to 1900 cubic inches in three seperate spaces. There is the primary cargo space, which is largest and is fitted with three antenna ports. There is also a secondary pocket on the outside bottom portion of the pack, and a smaller pocket on the outside top portion of the pack. The pocket on top is about half the size of the bottom one. The new MOLLE / STRIKE attachment system virtually covers the outside of the pack that wouldn't be against your back, offering more than 100 attachments points for STRIKE pouches, allowing you to fully customize this pack to your needs. Finally, the Cyclone is available in Black, Olive Drab (OD Green), Desert Camo or Coyote Tan. That covers most contemporary needs. Recommended retail is about $170, and the cheapest I've found the new Cyclone STRIKE for is $168. Older version with the ALICE attachments can be found on clearance as low as $145.

The next updated hydration pack / system we'll take a look at is the Predator, shown here in OD Green. Much of what I made note about on the Cyclone also applies to the Predator. The hydration system bladder and drinking tube are protected by the Microban antimicrobial technology. The 360 degree bite valve is present, along with that proven convenient positive on / off switch. The IVS is there to help keep your back dry and comfortable. So, what's the big difference? Storage space and potential fluid capacity are the most noticeable. The Predator is a slightly smaller pack allowing for 830 cubic inches of cargo space. However, it is also fitted with a second compartment specifically set up for carrying an additional hydration bladder. That increases the capacity of this system from the standard 100 ounces / 3 liters, to 200 ounces or 6 liters. That's about 1.6 gallons of water - not a bad thing. The carry handle on the Predator doesn't have the rubber handle wrap that the Cyclone does, but you shouldn't expect it to ever weigh as much as a fully loaded Cyclone either. The shoulder straps are padded and contoured; the sternum strap is still there; but HydraStorm added a padded waist belt onto the Predator too. Just like the Cyclone, the new Predator is covered with MOLLE / STRIKE attachment points. If you need more storage space, or to carry specific items, just put on the correct pouches. The ability to fully customize the pack to your needs is one of the strengths of the STRIKE system BlackHawk developed. The Predator is available in Black, Olive Drab, Desert Camo and Woodland Camo. Notice there's no Coyote Tan option for the Predator, but there is Woodland Camo which wasn't an option with the Cyclone. Consider your operating environment and choose appropriately. The Predator has a recommended retail price of about $130 and that's exactly the best price I found for it online.

The final HydraStorm Hydration System / Pack we're going to look at today is the Tsunami, displayed in Woodland Camo. Yes, I did that on purpose. The only two colors you don't get to see are the ones that take the least imagination: Black and Coyote Tan. More streamlined than either the Cyclone or the Predator, the Tsunami is essentially a Cyclone without the big primary pocket. It has the hydration system that carries 100 ounces / 3 liters of water, and it has two large pockets for storage / cargo. The total space available for carrying anything other than fluid is 530 cubic inches. The hydration system has all of the same features as the above two systems, and the shoulder straps are equally padded and contoured. However, the Tsunami also has a "quick ditch" capability built into the shoulder straps in the form of two fastex buckles. If you have to drop it fast to run (for whatever reason), you squeeze the buckle - one on either strap - and it falls off your body. The IVS is there to keep it comfortable while you do have it on. I see the Tsunami is the ideal day pack. The two pockets are more than sufficient to carry snacks, lunch, maps, compass, etc while the 3 liter capacity provides a sufficient amount of liquid sustainment throughout the day. Once again we see that the pack has MOLLE / STRIKE attachment points all of the exterior for ease of adding storage capability, or to carry specific equipment in answer to your needs. The Tsunami is available in the same colors as the Predator: Black, OD Green, Woodland Camo and Desert Camo. The suggested retail price for the Tsunami is about $110. I found it online for $88 on sale.

Be careful as you search for these systems to purchase. The upgraded STRIKE versions are relatively new to the market and lots of folks are trying to clean out their inventory of the older ALICE type systems. All of them are excellent hydration systems and you'll be served well if you have an ALICE system versus a STRIKE system. However, if you pay for a STRIKE system because that's what has been advertised by a dealer, then you should insure that is what you get.

Hydration systems continue to evolve and I'm sure I'll end up seeing something new in the coming year. As I find anything that seems useful, I'll pass it along.

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